“Singles Awareness Day” concept evokes mixed feelings

For some students, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time of the year where we can rekindle the fire in our relationships, adding the passion to our already-blossomed romance. It is a happy day, filled with chocolate roses and clichés from Matthew McConaughey-esque romantic comedies.

Others, however, have a very different perception of the 14th. For them, Valentine’s Day is one of the darkest holidays in the year; the gleaming red that represents the day has a very different meaning. It’s an impeding day of doom, a day that reminds the others what they are: single.

Several people have taken to celebrating the almost satirical Singles Awareness Day, an aptly-named holiday where those who aren’t in a relationship happily, or not-so-happily, celebrate or lament their single status.

Students at Tech are well aware of the holiday. Josh Traverty, a second-year, explained that he loves Singles Awareness Day.

“I think there’s a lot of pressure to be in a relationship, especially when you’re in college,” Traverty said. “So Valentine’s Day is always kind of a drag when you’re single, but a joke holiday like this takes some of the pressure away.”

Other students, like fourth year Hung Zhong, are even more involved with Singles Awareness Day.

“It’s always fun to go out with your friends and just celebrate anyways…I guess it’s kind of pathetic, but I think as long as you have a good time, any holiday’s a great holiday,” Zhong said.

Many students make the best out of Singles Awareness Day; after all, they explain, it’s not a day of spite, it’s a day of celebration. Sunny Agarwal, a first-year, explains that he loves being single.

“I love having a sense of freedom without getting too serious with any specific person…so, Singles Awareness Day isn’t that bad for me. I don’t really have a bad attitude about being single, so I actually have a pretty good time,” Agarwal said.

Another student, second-year Laura Arnold, explained that she doesn’t mind Singles Awareness Day even though she knows it exists.

“I am single, and my friends and I don’t really make a big deal over Valentine’s Day anyway…but I don’t think it makes sense to celebrate being single, either,” Arnold said.

Despite some students’ positive or indifferent outlook towards Singles Awareness Day, others don’t feel as positively inclined towards the holiday. For some, like first-year Samantha Rosten, Singles Awareness Day loses its overall appeal due to the lack of legitimacy.

“I think that it kind of takes away from Valentine’s Day…I’m not saying that Valentine’s is a huge occasion, but I think it’s important to have a day where you celebrate love…having a holiday that counters that just doesn’t seem right,” Rosten said.

For those who appreciate and observe Singles Awareness Day, the occasion can be an excuse to celebrate. However, as third-year Frank Overton explained, the day can have a depressing undertone.

“I think that Singles Awareness Day makes people who are single think they are wrong in some way, which is sad in a way. I do think it makes a few people feel bad about themselves and their status. Why not just have the day be Valentine’s?” Overton said.

Agarwal disagreed, explaining that Singles Awareness Day isn’t meant to poke fun at those who are single.

“I don’t think the point of Singles Awareness Day is to rub it in at all…it’s just kind of a joke among people who aren’t in relationships. I’m single myself, and I think it’s a great holiday. Why let the people in relationships have all the fun, you know?” Agarwal said.

Traverty agreed, also citing the light-hearted nature of the alternative celebration.

“There is a chance that it does make people feel like they are inadequate for not being in a relationship…but that’s definitely not true. I think we need to realize that you don’t need a boyfriend or girlfriend to be happy, and that’s what the holiday celebrates,” Traverty said.